Container for signal flares



Nov. 5, 1940; 1:. N. JOSS CONTAINER FOR SIGNAL FLARES F iled'April l5, 1939 ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES CONTAINER FOR SIGNAL FLARES Douglas Nelson Joss, Miami, Fla., assignor of onehalf to W. A. Swallow, Coral Gables, Fla.

Application April 15, 1939, Serial No. 268,145 v 4 Claims. (Cl. 246-488) The present invention relates to a new and improved container and holder for signal flares.

The herein described container is designed for use by steamship and airplane companies, a con- 5 tainer to be sewed to or be placed in the pocket of life preservers. In case of a ship wreck or forced landing in the water, passengers are quite frequently forced to remain afloat in th water all night. The average passenger, in such predicament, loses his morale when daylight disappears and it is believed that the knowledge that he, as well as each companion, has in his possession a number of waterproof flares, each 4 of which will burn several minutes, to direct. the v .15 searchers, will materially aid in keeping up the courage of all survivors.

It is,- therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide a container that is substantially waterproof and of a size to be sewed 2 to or placed in the pocket of a life preserver for containing signal flares, with means when:

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof, there is illustrated a receptacle or container 5 preferably formed of a light weight metal and comprising a pair of sections 40 6 and 1, respectively, united by means of hinges 8. The container 5 is preferably rectangularshaped and of a size to support a number of signal flares 9 and to maintain said flares in a thoroughly dry condition. The container 5 is 45 also of a size to be readily sewed or placed in the pocket of a life preserver.

Each of the sections 8 and 1, respectively, is filled with a waterproof felt material III to protect the flares 9 and to support the same in spaced 50 relation within the container as more clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing. The material I0, is, of. course, soft and pliable so that positioning of the flares in spaced relation is readily accomplished. The construction of the 55 container and the use of the felt material will maintain the flares in a dry condition at all times. 7 The flares 9 are of conventional construction being of the type conventionally used by railroads and for emergency use by the smaller navigable boats. It is preferred, however, to pro- 5 vide each flare, adjacent one .end thereof, with a skirt or flange I l to aid in supporting the same within the holder l2 forming a part of the container. The use of the flange II for supporting a flare within the holder I2 is more particularly 1 illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing.

The holder I2 is formed of a material similar to the container 5, the same being pivotally attached at I3 to an upper corner of one of the sections and adapted, when not in use, to lie flush with the top portion of the container as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawing. An opening it is formed in the free end of the holder I2 for receiving a flare for supporting the same in signalling position. When using the holder, y

it is moved from the dotted line position to the full line position shown in Figure 1 of the drawing and the container will be held by the hand. The position of the holder and flare with respect to the container precludes the possibility of the hand and arm becoming burned or otherwise injured from the drippings from the flare. The free end of the holder I2 is rolled, as indicated at I5 for convenience in moving the same into and out of position with the container.

The flare 9 is formed with a cap l6 which will automatically ignite the flare as the cap is removed.

Also it will be understood, of course, by those skilled in the art that variations in the hereinabove described device involving the substitution of substantial equivalents for the devices describedare intended to be comprehended within the spirit of the present invention and that the invention is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as ex 46 pressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container for signal flares and the like, comprising, a body portion formed of hinged sections of substantially light weight metal, each 50 section containing a waterproof felt material, said felt material forming a; protective cushion for supporting in spaced relation a plurality of signal flares, and means carried by said body portion for holding one of said flares in signal- 05 ling position, said means comprising an arm swingably mounted on one end of said body pore-L tion and having an opening in the free end thereof for supporting a signal flare in a vertical signalling position.

2. A container of the character described, comprising, a body portion formed of hinged sections, each section containing a waterproof felt material forming a protective cushion for supporting a plurality of signal flares in spaced relation, and means carried by said body portion for holding one of said flares in vertical signalling position, said means comprising a plate attached exteriorly of said container and onone end thereof and adapted to be moved laterally of the container when supporting a flare therein with said container serving as a handle.

3. A container of the character described, comprising, a body portion formed of hinged sections, each section containing a waterproof felt material forming a protective cushion for supporting a plurality of signal flares in spaced relation, and means carried by said body portion for holding one of said flares in vertical signalling position, said means comprising a plate normally overlying one end of the container and pivotally attached thereto whereby said plate is to be moved laterally of the container when supporting a flare therein.

DOUGLAS NELSON JOSS. 

